More SynchroSwim Hot Shots + Fotoweek DC 2009 and Other DC Shot List News

Photo and article by Betsy Spruill Clarke.

Happy Monday! I'm back from vacation and it seems that there is much news to report on the Photo front for DC...

MORE PHOTOS FROM MORE PHOTOGRAPHERS AT WPA'S SYNCHROSWIM

As you saw, last week, Adam and I had a blast at Washington Project for the Art's Synchro Swim event at Capitol Skyline Hotel.  Many other photographers around town also had fun and I wanted to include their links to check out:

*  Max Cook http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxedaperture/sets/72157621607536125/ 

*  Meaghan Gay http://dcist.com/2009/07/click_click_synchronized_swimming_a.php?gallery0Pic=10

*  Also spotted was Pulitzer prize winning photographer, Lucian Perkins!

FOTOWEEK DC 2009 UPDATES

Fotoweek DC 2009 Awards - Did you get your entry in by yesterday for the 20% off discount?  Well, if you missed it, you missed saving money...but that's all...you haven't missed the official deadline, so don't give up!  Submit today.  Deadline is September 20th! Highlights of this year's competition include:

• Open to all photographers around the world
• Accepting single images, series projects, social documentary and multimedia work
• $21,500 in cash prizes including $5,000 for the Podesta Prize "Spirit of Washington"
• 12 entry categories including Social Documentary & New Media
• Distinguished Panel of Judges
• Awards Ceremony at National Geographic Society Nov 5, 2009
• Winning photos exhibited at FotoWeek DC Festival Nov 7-14, 2009
• FotoWeek DC limited edition book published in 2010 with winning photos

Fotoweek DC 2009 Youth Photo Contest

Know any young up-and-coming hot shots that deserve a little recognition?  FotoWeek DC and The Washington Post want to see young photogs strut their portfolio stuff in this contest.  As part of DC's week-long biggest and best celebration of photography, November 7 - 14, young shutterbugs who participate stand a chance to win some cool prizes and have winning photos published in The Washington Post, exhibited at the FotoWeek Central Hub and at fotoweekdc's on-line gallery.

This contest is free.  Students (K through 12th grade) in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia can submit up to three photos each, now through September 27th.

And More Fotoweek Happenings that Excite DC Shot List

In addition to Fotoweek DC's 2009 better-than-ever contests, they also list some other can't miss opportunities surrounding the week that DC's photophiliacs now look forward to including:

• Portfolio Reviews - With partners, American Society of Picture Professionals and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Fotoweek DC will be hosting portfolio reviews by 20 nationally acclaimed photo professionals at the Corcoran...
• Cameras For Kids - In partnership with Critical Exposure and Martin Luther King Elementary School, a fall photography instruction/mentoring/guest lecture program is in the works...
• and NightGallery Projections - large scale outdoor photographic projections are planned for some of the city's most prestigious institutions and museums.

DC SHOT LIST NEWS

Thank you to all who have volunteered to contribute to DC Shot List.  I promise that if I haven't responded to you, I will.  It is for many worthy causes including photography karma as well as promoting DC as THE premier city of the best photography, to name a few.  If you are interested in contributing (reporting on the best in photographic happenings and peeps around DC in both word and image) please contact Betsy Spruill Clarke foto.maven@gmail.com.  I will get to you, especially with Fotoweek DC around the corner!

Also, if you haven't caught up with the group on Flickr, please do!  Join us... http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcshotlist/ so we can tout your photos!

Flickr Me Your Folio, Today!

As soon as we get in enough photos to select from, DC Shot List will start up the "Shot of the Week."  The image will be open to all comments in an effort to inspire the good ole days of critique, but also to show off DC's strong suit in the photography market.

"Shot of the Week" is selected from a pool of photos submitted by you on the DC Shot List Flickr group page.  The best way to join the group is by shooting me your link via Flickr.  You don't need to be a pro or have a pro account, so don't think about using that as an excuse!  Once you are in, you can start submitting what you think is your latest and greatest or even those that you are "middle of the road" on. 

The spirit of this "Shot of the Week" is feedback. 

DC Shot List Group Page: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcshotlist/

Betsy's Flickr Page:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsyhiggison/

Can't wait to see what you got, Hot Shot!

What's Black & White & Green All Over?  You!

Article and photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

This Earth Day, 2009, DC Shot List wants to motivate the green "monstah" in you with a list of sustainable tips with a photography twist.  Whether you are a photo-arts fanatic or a PRO-tographer, these suggestions can certainly benefit you, your photography and yo mamma, lady earth.

Sustainable Charging - Batteries
Rechargeable batteries are definitely the way to go, when it comes to sustainable shooting.  Energizer and Duracell dominate in marketing their products.  However, Marriott International digital imaging specialist, Adam Clarke, recently sent me this list of rechargies, from "METAEFFICIENT" that seem to have the best ratings.

But what about the batteries you have lying around with possible power still inside?  Battery tester, my friend.  They are cheap, easy and tell you the status of life inside of those mystery cells.  DC Shot List recently found a digital battery tester for under $10 at Batteries Plus in Rockville.

And make those batteries last longer.  Remember the days when you used the camera's viewfinder to frame your shot?  Yeah, they still make 'em like that, and using it instead of your LCD display will help.  And to the protogs?  Yeah, you know your f stop and shutter speed magic?  No need to look at the back of the display after every shot...I do it too and I'm trying to break that habit!

Cameras - Reshoot to Recycle
There are many ways to give your old cameras, new life.  Have 3-5 antiques lying around?  Position them together over the mantle for some insta-cool art! Have a perfectly good camera that you just do not use anymore?  Sell it to KEH, a very honest company from Atlanta, that will give you a very fair and decent price for your second-hand shooter.  Or even better?  Donate it to Critical Exposure, a photography program for kids in public schools.

Adam Levner, co-director of Critical Exposure advises, "At this point the only donated cameras we can really use are digital SLRs.  We try to have the same kind of basic digital cameras for all the students in a particular class because it makes teaching the students how to use the cameras much easier."

Make Photo Paper Green
Believe it or not, DC Shot List was hard-pressed to find any info on how to recycle photo paper.  Primarily because it just can't be done, due to the silver, chemicals, etc...  So, here are a few suggestions for misprints and other old photos that just end up in the trash.

Shred 'em up and use as packaging material.  Not only will you avoid those annoying styro-nuts, but you will also have pretty rad confetti cushioning your breakables.

Make a fabulous collage!  Okay, that one is just too easy, but think about how absolutely awesome Aunt Mildred's blown-out and way too contrasty mug would look pasted on ole what's-his-name's body.  Yeah, it's not home decor that appeals to everyone, but it will keep you laughing.

Still Using Film?
DC Shot List commends you but not for any reason that is green.  Just another film grain addict, is all, but I digress...

Those film cannisters can be used for so many, many things:  cutsie packaging for jewelry gifts, paint samples, medicine vial, change containers, etc.  Heck, I've even witnessed the film cannister be used for other "green" past times, but we won't get into that right now.

Recycle & Purchase Ink Cartridges for Your Furry Friends
PetSmart Charities "Recycle for Life" program enables you to dispose of your ink and toner cartridges properly through their recycling program. Purchase your ink and toner through this program and PetSmart Charities will receive a donation of $2 for every ink cartridge you purchase and $5 for every toner cartridge you purchase.  Plus, for every ink cartridge and cell phone, by the way, that you send back using one of their special pre-paid envelopes, PetSmart Charities will receive anywhere between $2 and $5 dollars!

Photo storage, Sharing and Selling
Online, baby!  Not necessary to print out every single photo you have as a keep sake.  Now you can just keep them in an external hard drive with a couple of DVD back-ups.  Plus, you can really be efficient by using Flickr and other sites to share your shots with friends and family.

PRO-togs, sell your images through sites like Zenfolio.  Your clients can now purchase the files to download, instead of a print or CD.

And on the topic of CD's...
if you are going to put some images on one, choose a CD-RW, which means "rewriteable," which means if you screw up and forget a specific shot, you won't have to throw out the disc you just burned.  Just burn...and re-burn.

Well, I hope we learned something here today.  Now, turn off that computer, grab your camera, and go outside and shoot now, while it's not raining! 

Mother Nature is showing you her best side, today!!!